Divorce

[OpenMember]

I'm feeling very overwhelmed by the paperwork. For my form E.
I'm self employed.
Any advise on completing this?
Maybe a solicitor? It needs to be completed before first mediation.

[Summerkoala]

Hi OP,
I completely understand how you're feeling, it is so overwhelming and the paperwork is not written for 'normal' people to understand!!

If the Form E is for mediation, and not court, just do as much of it as you can and collect as many invoices, bank statements showing your salary, tax returns etc for the disclosure period. You will discuss it all properly in mediation and you'll have time to collect any additional paperwork ready for the next meeting.

Speaking from experience, just keep going. Take one task at a time and try not to let it become too overwhelming.

Mediation didn't work for me and my ex and we're currently in the thick of really messy court proceedings where everything is completely taken out of our control and it gets pretty hairy. So, if you and your ex can settle on mediation then you'll save yourselves so much heartache that you don't need.

❤️

[Summerkoala]

If you're able to, perhaps seek advice from a solicitor prior to the mediation meeting, just so you are forearmed and know what you're entitled to. The mediator has to stay neutral, so won't be able to tell you both what to do... Although they might be able to tell you which way the court might sway if it goes that far.

[Jonathan70]

Yes, see a solicitor first to see what you’re entitled to.
Complete one section at a time - set yourself little targets. If you don’t complete fully by mediation, it’s fine but don’t be drawn into an agreement until both of you have supplied your full details because when you fill out your d81 to be approved, it needs to be fair and if one party hasn’t disclosed a large asset before an agreement is made, that might change things.
With regard to being self employed, you’ll just need your last tax return plus any information if you are expecting your next return to show a large difference in income or any factors that might affect it in the future. Just take everything one step at a time. Let your mediator know if your form e isn’t complete so they can ask your ex to hold off making their disclosure to you until yours is done.
If there’s a specific qu you can’t complete, post on here and someone is bound to help!

[Rose7728]

Hi

I found this super useful when i did my DP's form E

https://www.advicenow.org.uk/guides/how-fill-your-financial-statement-form-e-film

Watch the video it walks you through the entire process. Good Luck

[OpenMember]

Thank you all. You'll all so understanding!